Most MCAS testing done online

Wednesday

Oct 11, 2017 at 2:04 PMOct 23, 2017 at 6:53 PM

Dana Hourigan | mansfield@wickedlocal.com

A larger portion of state testing will be performed online this year, but some Mansfield students will still take the test with pencils and paper, according to Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly.

The Department of Education, which issues the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), sent an email encouraging all third- and sixth-grade students in the Mansfield Public Schools to take the MCAS online.

Connolly said he has recommended that due to the number of devices it would entail and the duration of the testing period, Mansfield would opt to do online testing for what is required, but not participate in the online version of the MCAS for third and sixth grades.

“We had a robust discussion. We were successful (coordinating the online testing) last year but it was challenging,” Connolly said. “We had to make a decision. We spoke to our Digital Learning Specialist Josh Rapoza, and felt that it was better not to add an additional two grades online this year.

“They upped online testing. Grades four, five, seven and eight will be expected to take the MCAS online in English/ Language Arts and math, as well as science in grades five and eight,” added Connolly.